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Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
John Williams, U.S. Navy
The first sailor to earn the Medal of Honor was "captain of the maintop" John Williams of the USS Pawnee. During the attack on Mathias Point, Virginia, on June 26, 1861, Williams, although severely wounded in the thigh by a musket ball, retained command of his assault boat. When the flagstaff was shot away, he held the stump of it that secured the flag in his hand and rallied his men. That qualified as his medal-winning deed.
Rank and organization: Captain of the Maintop, U.S. Navy. Born: 1828, New Orleans, La. Accredited to: Louisiana. G.O. No.: 11, 3 April 1863.
CITATION:
Serving as captain of the maintop of the U.S.S. Pawnee in the attack upon Mathias Point, 26 June 1861, Williams told his men, while lying off in the boat, that every man must die on his thwart sooner than leave a man behind. Although wounded by a musket ball in the thigh he retained the charge of his boat; and when the staff was shot away, held the stump in his hand, with the flag, until alongside the Freeborn.
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